Pros

Cons

Some may find straight-line speed underwhelming

has held residual value well, so it's a pricey second-hand buy

manual versions are good but hard to find

Honda's original Accord Euro has been a favourite at Drive since it was launched in 2003. Interestingly, Honda used the launch to take the badge in two distinct directions with quite different products, both tagged as Accords.

On the face of it, the larger V6 version of the Accord should have been the glamour model. But, the physically smaller, four-cylinder Accord Euro emerged as the pick of the bunch.

That was when both Accords were new.

Even as used buys, though, nothing has changed: the Accord Euro remains the plum buy.

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It's not that the V6 version wasn't more powerful or faster in a straight line - it was both - but one big difference made the Euro a winner: while the Euro model was more or less a global platform, the V6 was designed and specified with North America firmly in mind.

As such, the Euro was a slightly more compact car that was also big enough inside. It was better looking, used less fuel and, most dramatically, its suspension wasn't designed for ride comfort at the expense of handling and balance.

It was simply better to drive and, while the V6 was far from terrible, the Euro was a class-leader from day one.

While the Euro used only a four-cylinder engine, it was a pretty hefty one and managed 140kW from its 2.4 litres.

It was smooth and revved well, as well as having plenty of mid-range urge for relaxed progress. It was also very refined and felt like a quality product.

As such, it worked well with the rather clever five-speed automatic transmission, although the six-speed manual (which is quite hard to find on the second-hand market) was even better if you could be bothered swapping your own gears.

Standard equipment was good, with even the entry-level car gaining dual-zone climate-control airconditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, a leather-clad steering wheel, full electrics and alloy wheels. Option up to the Luxury model and you added leather trim, foglights and powered front seats.

Safety gear was of a high standard, too, and every Accord Euro was fitted with anti-lock brakes, brake-force distribution, stability control and front, side and head airbags.

This all helps the Accord Euro stack up well as a second-hand buy.

Its better-than-average (for the time) safety equipment means it still makes the safety grade now and it represents a potentially very safe car at a bargain price if you're prepared to buy an early example of the breed.

That also makes it a good choice for parents selecting a car for younger drivers.

Good value though it was when new, the Euro was still a more expensive car than some of the competition, so fleet operators generally steered clear. That means most Accord Euros by far were bought new by relatively conservative owners, driven carefully and serviced religiously.

The quality of the car also meant that many owners were tempted to keep their wheels for longer than some other makes and models, so a lot of Euros hitting the second-hand market are still one-owner examples.

Given the quality of used Euros is so high, the first thing to check is that any car you're considering has been given the white-glove treatment as far as servicing goes.

One small issue mentioned by some owners has been noisy front suspension. The problem in most cases is caused by small stones and road debris becoming trapped between the suspension's coil spring and the spring seat on the lower control arm. Cars that have been driven on gravel roads are most affected but either way, it's not a big drama.

Another thing to check is the brand and quality of tyres fitted to the car. Any example that has travelled 50,000 kilometres or so is probably on its second set of tyres and, unfortunately, some owners chose replacements purely on price rather than performance. The Euro seems a little sensitive to tyres and the wrong ones can spoil the car's inherent grip and secure feeling.

The four-cylinder engine is strong but since it uses Honda's V-TEC technology, it's a complicated unit with plenty of small moving parts.

That means regular oil changes are critical and a check of the dipstick should reveal clean, brown oil and not black sludge.

Some owners also reported a noise from the engine of the Euro that sounded like engine detonation. Honda instituted a fix that involved the car's computer rather than any mechanical components. Only a few dozen cars were affected, according to Honda, and the problem did no permanent damage to the vehicles in question. That said, it would still be worth having a close listen to the engine for any unusual noises.

In recall terms, the Accord Euro was listed to address the possibility of a power-steering fluid leak that could potentially have started an under-bonnet fire.

Some 2005 and 2006 Euros were also recalled to check a relay in the fuel pump, which, if it failed, would mean the car could not restart.

The third recall was to check for a damaged wiring loom in the boot of the car. Had the harness become damaged, the car could have lost its number-plate light and/or tail-lights and reversing lights.

Need to know

■The engine has lots of small moving parts. Make sure oil changes haven't been skipped.

■ Noisy front suspension is often debris caught under spring. The fix is easy.

■Fleets generally ignored the Euro but try to find a one-private-owner car. They're out there.

■Make sure all the lights at the rear of the car work, including the number-plate light.

The competitors

Mazda6

Availability of sedan, hatch and wagon broadens appeal and so does the overall quality of the 6. Bit thirstier than it should be.

Ford Mondeo

The choice for those who need a little more room. Rivals bigger brother Falcon for interior space. Clever auto gearbox.